'Lost the plot': Mayor, MP lash out in public spat

Bill HoffmanWhether taking on developers hell-bent on destroying the Coast’s natural appeal or a Prime Minister indifferent to the plight of the poor, Bill Hoffman has never been one to mince his words. Bill’s been a journalist for 32 years, 29 of those on the Coast. Love him or hate him, he'll get you blogging.

SUNSHINE Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson has come out swinging in the first week of the state election campaign demanding candidates explain what they'll do for the region.

But his criticism of departing Nicklin MP Peter Wellington has left him exposed to counter attack with the Palaszczuk government Speaker quick to fire back.

Cr Jamieson has demanded certainty about commitments for Nicklin given the seat's two major assets - Nambour General Hospital and Nambour Railway Station - were state-owned and operated.

In a scathing attack on Mr Wellington he accused him of wasting two unique opportunities to apply influence on Labor governments.

"What has Mr Wellington done in almost 20 years in government to deliver the North Coast Rail Line duplication?" he asked.

"What has he done to secure Nambour General Hospital's future, including transforming to new health and hospital services, investment in restructuring and refurbishment and staff increases? What plan does he and the Labor government have to deliver vital services and critical transport infrastructure to Nicklin?"

Reader poll

Should Mayor Mark Jamieson be speaking out on the state election?

This poll ended on 09 November 2017.

Current Results

Yes, he serves as an advocate for the Sunshine Coast.

30%

Yes, but he shouldn't be getting caught up in fights with MPs.

12%

No, he should stick to local government politics.

56%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Mr Wellington has immediately hit back describing the comments as a diatribe motivated by his push to ban developer donations from council elections and his call for more transparency in Cr Jamieson's council.

He said the Mayor had only hopped on board the push for rail duplication after LNP members at a state and federal level had backed it.

"After his election the Mayor asked my opinion of his plans for the shire," Mr Wellington said.

"All he wanted to talk about was the airport. When I raised the rail he said words to the effect that it couldn't be delivered."

Cr Jamieson said Mr Wellington would retire on a generous pension following his term as Speaker after opposing the airport expansion and the solar farm which he described as two game-changing projects which would benefit the region for generations.

Mr Wellington said he had been an advocate for a community who couldn't get information from the council.

"His hospital criticism is rubbish. Cameron Dick has secured the hospital's future as a critical player in health service delivery for the Sunshine Coast," he said.

Mr Wellington also attacked the council's $50 million relocation to Maroochydore, describing the cost to ratepayers as disgraceful given a more than adequate facility existed in Nambour.

"He doesn't need to waste money on a Taj Mahal in Maroochydore.

"If he wants to play politics I am more than happy to take the fight up to him.

"He picks fights with community groups. Quite frankly he's lost the plot. It's gone to his head being LGAQ president."

Mr Wellington plans to release a 70-page booklet of a long list of achievements both for his electorate and Queensland during his term in office.

Cr Jamieson has also taken aim at LNP Nicklin candidate Marty Hunt, saying he was more focused on council issues, rather than what he has planned for Nicklin.

"If you want to talk about council issues, you are in the wrong election," Cr Jamieson said. "This is not a council election."